Israelis mostly shrug as Mitt Romney visits

Many say they do not know much about him

JERUSALEM — Mitt Romney arrives here Saturday, embarking on the meatiest portion of his foreign trip in a far different position than President Obama did four years ago: as a relative unknown.

The presumptive Republican nominee, trying to peel away Jewish support for Obama, is eager to cast himself as a better friend of Israel than the current administration. Recent polling and interviews illustrate some dissatisfaction with Obama — the result of perceived snubs of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for freezing of settlements in the Palestinian territories, and an unwillingness so far to visit the country as president.